Stonewall National Education Project

Administrators, building principals and teachers from at least 50 school districts throughout the United States will gather in Fort Lauderdale from May 12 to 15 at the Bahia Mar Hotel to focus on LGBTQ inclusive curriculum and GLBTQ student safety as part of the 2015 Stonewall National Education Project. For the third year, the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, is bringing together school district representatives to share best practices and policies for LGBTQ students.

“Current research conducted by GLSEN and The Trevor Project indicates that one in five LGBTQ children have been physically assaulted in the past year. With 60% of children reporting that teachers and administrators do not intervene when observing negative remarks about gender expression occurring in the classroom, it is no wonder that these staggering statistics exist,” remarks David Jobin, the executive director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives.

Stonewall National Museum & Archives enters the national conversation which revolves around the need to create safe and productive learning environments for LGBTQ children, as an organization that has preserved and shared LGBTQ history for the past forty-one years.

“Because we know that LGBTQ children’s self-esteem is directly affected by witnessing positive LGBTQ role models, Stonewall is also introducing through its network, curriculum and lesson plans intended to provide teachers the opportunity to teach and discuss LGBTQ history,” Jobin continued. “But for all our talk about policies, procedures and curriculum, the Stonewall National Education Project is ultimately about kids’ lives. The sobering statistics around LGBTQ bullying, suicide and drop-out rates are a rallying cry for change and the Stonewall National Education Project is a powerful response on a national level.”

Now celebrating 41 years, Stonewall National Museum & Archives (SNMA) promotes understanding through preserving and sharing the proud culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their significant role in society. SNMA presents an ongoing schedule of exhibitions, including author readings and movie screenings on LGBTQ topics, writer’s and book discussion groups, and other special events.

Information on programs at Stonewall National Museum – Wilton Manors Gallery, Stonewall National Library & Archives and programs organized through Stonewall National Education Project is available at stonewall-museum.org. Find SNMA on Facebook: stonewallmuseum and on Instagram: @stonewallarchive.